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1 THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF OF THE THE LOUISIANA CONSTRUCTION AND AND INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION VOLUME 7 ISSUE 2 APRIL 2015 ON THE ISSUES: WATER P.3 HYDRO-BLADE WATERJETS P. 9 the member services arm of lci workers comp ALL DRY WATER DAMAGE P. 11

2 CONTENTS: Association News... 1 On the Issues: Water Member Spotlight: Hydro-Blade WaterJets Member Spotlight: All Dry Water Damge LCI Workers Comp Corner Association News: New Facilitated Networking: At LCIA, we have been working on ideas for how we can connect you, all of our LCI policyholders, to each other. The LCIA network contains over 3,500 Louisiana-based businesses, representing a wide variety of industries; there are bound to be opportunities within our group. So we re taking an active approach to help you make those connections. Here are a few ways we re facilitating networking among LCI policyholders: 1. Attendee list in your event folder: All event folders will now include a list of attending businesses, so you can see if there are any potential networking opportunities. 2. Post-event follow up: We will send a follow-up after each live event, listing the businesses that attended and any information that those businesses wish to provide to the group. These ideas were brought to us from LCI policyholders, so please send us any ideas you may have that are related to LCIA programs and/or networking. If you have a suggestion, please Christina Buras at 1

3 Meet LCI s 3,500+ policyholders. LCI Policyholders by Industry AGRICULTURE: 8% CONSTRUCTION & BUILDING SERVICES: 45% INDUSTRIAL: 13% OTHER (RESTAURANTS, RETAIL, NONPROFITS) : 15% TRANSPORTATION: 19 % TOTAL: 3601 members LCI Policyholders by Region ACADIANA: 14% BATON ROUGE: 17% CENTRAL: 8% NEW ORLEANS: 43% NORTH: 13% SOUTHWEST: 5% TOTAL: 3601 members Who is LCIA? LCIA is a business development partner for all businesses insured by LCI Workers' Comp. These businesses span across Louisiana and come from many different industries. Above are two graphs displaying the composition of LCI policyholders. One graph depicts the different industries represented by LCI-insured businesses, and the other displays the geographical distribution of all LCI policyholders. LCIA is proud to work with a variety of businesses. We believe the diversity within our network is special, and through networking and collaboration, we believe it can only serve to help you in your business endeavors. To connect with other LCI policyholders, come to one of our many events, offered each month throughout the state.

4 ON THE ISSUES Issues: On the Water In Louisiana, water affects many different aspects of our businesses and our lives. Much of the state is near the coast, which provides both business opportunities in the shipping, maritime, and oil and gas industries, as well as risks such as coastal land loss and flooding. Rivers also cross our state, connecting Louisiana to the rest of the country and to the world. Every region of Louisiana has its own water uses and its own water challenges. This On the Issues section addresses Louisiana s relationship with the element that occupies more than 95% of the earth and is as destructive as it is necessary: water. Living with Water Let s start our journey by learning about what it means to manage water. We ll hear about the issues the Greater New Orleans region faces and how the region has used past experiences and mistakes to create a water management plan for the future. THE IMPORTANCE OF WATER MANAGEMENT In South Louisiana, water is part of our lives. It surrounds us the Gulf, the Mississippi, bayous, lakes, and other waterways. Water plays a huge role in our society. We build our houses, our infrastructure, our careers, and our businesses around water. Water management is essentially taking steps to make sure that water is a part of our lives in the way that we want it to be. Some past methods of water management have worked for Louisiana, while others have not. The Greater New Orleans Urban Water Plan provides specific plans for future water management for the Greater New Orleans Region. While this plan is specific to the New Orleans region, the principles of water management apply to every corner of our state. Geographic factors of each region dictate how an area interacts with and manages water. THE THREATS OF POOR WATER MANAGEMENT According to the Greater New Orleans Urban Water Plan, past water management techniques in the New Orleans area have focused on removing the water from the cities as quickly as possible through a series of drainage canals, pipes, and pumps. This form of water management alone is problematic for two main reasons: flooding and subsidence. Hurricane Katrina illustrated the problem with relying solely on this system and what can happen when the walls holding the water in the canals the levees do not hold. Much of the New Orleans area flooded. Removing the water from beneath our feet also causes subsidence, the sinking of the ground. Subsidence is a result of dry soils, 3

5 ON THE ISSUES largely caused by current drainage practices that pump out every drop that falls as quickly as possible. Without a natural flow of water, the soil below our concrete is depleted of nutrients, causing it to widen and shrivel like a used up sponge. Flooding and subsidence, two problems caused by past water management techniques, have had definitively negative consequences for the people and the businesses of south Louisiana. Besides catastrophic flooding such as that experienced with Hurricane Katrina, routine heavy rains can make roads impassable and can cause property damage. This can negatively affect residents and businesses alike. Damage to the ground including roads in addition to constant repairs, can slow business down. It can damage property and discourage outside investment in the New Orleans region. A NEW WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN The Greater New Orleans Water Plan brings new ideas to water management in the New Orleans area. In 2010, the State of Louisiana s Office of Community Development - Disaster Recovery Unit funded Greater New Orleans, Inc. (GNO, Inc.) to develop the Greater New Orleans Urban Water Plan for the east banks of Orleans and Jefferson Parishes and for St. Bernard Parish. New Orleans architecture firm Waggonner & Ball led a team of water management experts in developing the Urban Water Plan. In contrast to the old water management methods which focused on draining the water out of the cities as quickly as possible, Waggonner & Ball s water management plans, outlined in the Water Plan, integrate the water into our cities. Instead of using pumps at the first rain, the Water Plan encourages storing water in retention receptacles like rain gardens to slow its drainage. It also encourages allowing groundwater to remain in place, which combats subsidence. The Greater New Orleans Urban Water Plan proposes new infrastructure, changes to new construction, and buy-in from the residents. RESULTS OF GOOD WATER MANAGEMENT While implementation of the Greater New Orleans Urban Water Plan is challenging and will require time and money, the potential benefits to updating water management policies are plentiful. Reducing the risk of flooding and subsidence in and around New Orleans makes the region stronger and a better place to live and do business. OPPORTUNITIESFOR BUSINESSES As communities adopt good water management practices, businesses of all sizes can benefit. First, the proposed large-scale infrastructure projects will create construction projects. There is potential for local construction companies to complete much of this work. Next, if the Water Plan s recommendations are adopted, and building codes are updated, there will be a need for local residential contractors and landscape architects to be skilled in the building practices that encourage good water management. These types of businesses will likely be in high demand, and they will be able to market themselves as the water management experts. IN CONCLUSION The Greater New Orleans Urban Water Plan addresses water management in the Greater New Orleans region based on the natural makeup of the area, current and future land use, and lessons learned from past water management techniques. The principles of water management living with water and ensuring it positively impacts our communities can be applied to every parish of Louisiana. Visit livingwithwater.com to learn more. 4

6 ON THE ISSUES Supporting the Greater New Orleans Urban Water Plan, Dana Eness explains why businesses have a vested interest in good water management and how the business community can lead the movement. It s a rainy day in New Orleans, and cars are crawling through water up to their wheel wells. On commercial corridors, some of the business owners have already placed sandbags near their doors, ready to position them around their thresholds when they lock up to keep water from seeping in. Would-be shoppers consider stopping and getting out, The Business Case for Water Management DANA ENESS, Executive Director, Urban Conservancy but reconsider as they contemplate the shindeep water gathering at the curb. Repetitive loss to buildings and lost sales because potential customers can t safely access them are two reasons businesses need to be active partners in minimizing storm water runoff. Runoff is what happens when rainfall has nowhere to go it cannot be absorbed by the ground due to the large amounts of impervious concrete; and while we do have pumps to manage some of the drainage, we cannot continue to rely on the pumps to keep up with the increasingly large volume of water. If it is not captured and managed properly, it could be coming your way, hurting your property, your streets, and your sales. Commercial properties tend to have a high percentage of hard (impervious) surfaces including roofs, parking lots, and outdoor seating areas. Less green space means less absorption and, unfortunately, more runoff. But this also means that the business community is uniquely positioned to take a leadership role to champion innovative, effective ways to better manage rainfall onsite. Other businesses will follow suit when they realize that doing so provides a better ROI over the long run. And while runoff is a prevailing problem in New Orleans, water management is relevant all around Louisiana, and as business leaders, you can be instrumental in addressing environmental and social problems within your own communities. Learn more at urbanconservancy.org/projects. Water Management Case Study: North Louisiana s Sparta Aquifer AARON LUSBY Director, Louisiana Tech Rural Development Center Water management is not just for South Louisiana. Professor Aaron Lusby from Louisiana Tech introduces us to aquifers naturally occurring water storage pockets under the ground, from which we pull a substantial amount of our drinking water and explains why it is important that we sustainably manage them. ALL ABOUT AQUIFERS Aquifers are naturally occurring repository areas for groundwater that accumulated over thousands of years from rain or snow melt that percolated through layers of rock below the surface of the earth. As water repositories, aquifers are used as underground sources of water. Businesses and individuals use the water pulled from aquifers for drinking, watering crops, washing dishes, in the manufacturing process, and in many other ways. Typically, aquifers have a recharge zone where rainwater and runoff find a way to enter the aquifer between the impermeable layers of rock. The recharge zone is often on the edge of the aquifer, which has been tilted up by geological forces. Large aquifers may have small recharge zones. Think of the aquifer as a sandwich with the bread representing the impermeable layers, and the jam representing the water. The only way to put more jam in would be to tilt the sandwich on edge and apply the jam between the slices. Continued on next page. 5

7 THE ARISING ISSUE WITH AQUIFERS While water is removed from aquifers by people, aquifers naturally refill themselves. If water is removed at a pace greater than an aquifer can fill back up, problems can arise. Due to rapid drainage, aquifers are in danger of being depleted, thus leading to not only the loss of a vital water source but also causing geological issues within the region that the aquifer lies. Groundwater technically qualifies as a renewable resource (rain and snow melt will trickle down to refill aquifers over time). It may seem that because we get our fair share of rain in Louisiana, that there is plenty of water refilling aquifers for us to use. However, water can only enter an aquifer at the narrow recharge zone, which makes replenishing a more complicated issue. When water is withdrawn faster than the water can be replaced, we turn a renewable resource into a non-renewable resource. Groundwater is, in reality, a non-renewable resource. Once withdrawals start to consistently exceed the level of recharge, certain problems may emerge. First, man-made wells pull the nearby water out of the water-bearing sands, and it can take thousands of years for the water to trickle back in. Additionally, there is the problem of subsidence. When water is removed from an aquifer, the pressure of the layers above it can compress the porous layer causing the aquifer to collapse. When this happens, the aquifer is less capable of holding water, and it becomes more difficult to extract the water that is still there. Subsidence can cause roads, sewers and houses everything built on top of the aquifer to collapse. On top of that, water quality will become an issue before the aquifer empties. Salt (or brackish) water will rise up to fill in the space left after the fresh water has been drawn out. This salt water intrusion is difficult to detect in its early stages, because most fresh water has salt in it already. Water withdrawals can also concentrate the existing level of pollutants, such as agricultural chemicals, petroleum distillates, and sewage, thereby increasing water treatment costs. THE SPARTA AQUIFER S IMPORTANCE TO NORTH LOUISIANA The Sparta Aquifer is the major water source for north Louisiana and southern Arkansas. The recharge zone for the Sparta aquifer is a narrow band on the western edge of the aquifer in Caddo, Bossier, Webster, Bienville, Jackson and Winn Parishes. Only the water that falls or flows across this small area can put water back into the aquifer. Since the early 1900s, industry and municipalities have used water from the aquifer. Those withdrawals began to exceed the natural recharge rate by the 1940s. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) first observed declines in the aquifer s water levels in the 1980s. In 2006, water users in the Sparta region pumped approximately 70 million gallons of water from the aquifer per day; the maximum that can be drawn from the aquifer without causing the water level to decline is 52 million gallons per day. Public use (from flushing toilets to washing cars and watering lawns) became the number one withdrawal source in Such use will eventually consume or damage the entire supply of the aquifer. While the USGS has observed recent improvements in water levels, they credit that to conservation efforts in Arkansas. Conservation programs there have sufficiently reduced withdrawals such that water levels are once again rising in Union County wells and even in Louisiana wells along the state line. PRESERVING THE SPARTA AQUIFER Sustainable use happens when the amount of water flowing into the aquifer (recharge) is equal to or greater than the amount that is being pumped out. The water level in the Sparta aquifer is decreasing by two feet per year, and there has been salt water intrusion in parts of Arkansas. Clearly, conservation efforts must improve in Louisiana. The state legislature passed the Ground Water Resources Act in 2003, which authorized the state Commissioner of Conservation to designate parts of the state as critical ground water areas and monitor groundwater wells (declaration of the aquifer as critical by the State of Louisiana would give authority to ration, control, or tax water usage). To date the Sparta Aquifer has not been declared as a critical ground water area, due largely to political opposition, though the state did identify three areas of concern in the Sparta region. Recent attempts at increasing conservation and awareness of Sparta issues included a Be Sparta Smart campaign to encourage the public to reduce water use, and a proposed water recycling plant for the city of West Monroe, in Ouachita Parish. Once built, the recycling plant could reduce Sparta withdrawals by 7-10 million gallons per day. Union and Lincoln Parish officials have also searched for alternative water supplies, such as surface water from Lake Darbonne, in Union Parish. For more information about the Sparta Aquifer, readers are encouraged to visit the Sparta Groundwater Commission s web page: ON THE ISSUES 6

8 ON THE ISSUES Overview, Louisiana Trade Impact In addition to the challenges water poses in Louisiana, it also brings jobs and money into the state. The World Trade Center of New Orleans was kind enough to give us some insight into just how much our access to the Gulf and to major rivers facilitates business in Louisiana. Louisiana has long been a critical access point for the import and export of goods due to its geographical location and natural advantages. About 2,300 miles of waterways tie all of the state s six deepwater ports to a network of other coastal and inland ports, providing access via the Mississippi River to 35 states and the Gulf of Mexico. In addition to its water access, the state also boasts highways, railroads, and airports, all of which increase the state s capacity and efficiency in facilitating the movement of goods into and out of the state. Louisiana is the sixth largest exporter in the U.S. and currently leads the nation in export revenues per capita. More than 25% of the nation s waterborne exports are shipped through Louisiana s five deepwater port districts located along the Mississippi River. For example, the state s ports handle an estimated 60% of the nation s grain exports, and are a top importer of rubber, coffee, and timber. Over the past 10 years, Louisiana exports have grown by more than 200%. Export growth means an increase in jobs by generating new business for the state s manufacturers, service, providers, and farmers. Jobs in U.S. exporting plants, for example, pay on average up to 18% more than similar jobs in non-exporting plants, with job growth increasing faster than non-exporters. In 2014, Louisiana exported more than $65 billion in goods. Its leading exports were petroleum and coal, agricultural products, and chemicals. More than 4,000 businesses export from Louisiana annually and support more than 500,000 jobs. The state s unrivaled infrastructure and natural advantages, including those involving water, provide many opportunities for businesses in Louisiana. Regardless of your industry manufacturing, transportation, or construction strong exports are a benefit to all Louisiana businesses. Learn more at wtcno.com. The Future of Water in Louisiana About the Water Campus Water has always been and will always be a part of Louisiana. At the highly anticipated, soon-to-beconstructed Water Campus in Baton Rouge, some of the brightest minds in a variety of industries relating to water are ensuring that we address and research the challenges, so we can maintain a strong Louisiana into the future. 7 The Water Campus is approximately a 35- acre development in Baton Rouge located along Nicholson Drive, just South of I-10 and downtown, adjacent to the Mississippi River. The project, once completed, will be home to researchers, scientists, engineers, and many other professionals who will collaborate around common issues regarding coastal, water and deltaic issues. The development will also house office space for other professionals, such as law firms and other businesses, and will additionally include residential and retail space. Phase 1 of the development is already underway. In February, LSU broke ground on the LSU Center for River Studies, which is an approximately $16 million building that will house a large-scale model of the lower Mississippi River. In April/May of 2015, construction will be underway on a new headquarters office building for the state agency Coastal Protection Restoration Authority. Later this year, on the old City Dock that sits on the Mississippi River, construction will begin on a state of the art Education and Research Center, which will house in addition to interpretive exhibits a new headquarters for the Water Institute of the Gulf, a 501c3 research organization dedicated to providing unparalleled, independent research on coastal, deltaic and water issues. Finally, by late 2015 or early 2016, crews will break ground on an 80-90,000 square foot office building available for leasing. Learn more at thewatercampus.org.

9 Spotlight Member MEMBER SPOTLIGHT LCIA would not exist if not for our members. You, the 3,500+ businesses insured by LCI Workers Comp, are LCIA. You represent countless industries throughout Louisiana. We use this Member Spotlight section of our magazine to showcase our members unique businesses. By sharing the contributions our members make to their industries and communities, we are showing you that with LCIA, you re In Good Company. Hydro-Blade WaterJets All Dry Water Damage 8

10 00 CUTTING WITH MILITARY PRECISION 100 About Hydro-Blade WaterJets Using waterjet technology, Lafayette-based Hydro-Blade WaterJets provides materialcutting services to a variety of clients. Founded by owner Ben Chauvin in 2008, Hydro-Blade cuts metals, plastic, rubber, and foam by harnessing the power of water under extreme pressure. of oil rigs. Oilfield supply companies bring Hydro-Blade projects, and Hydro-Blade cuts the parts to the specifications. Specializing in cutting, as opposed to manufacturing, allows Hydro-Blade to keep their process moving: taking jobs, completing them, and getting them out the door. He went to a technical college to study nondestructive testing (NDT), which tests how well materials including metal stand up to various elements. He did chemical and pressure vessel testing for oil companies, but found himself on the road, away from his wife as they started their family. Waterjet Technology & Equipment The process begins by laying the material on the machine s tabletop. The nozzle, which is the cutting mechanism, is attached to a movable crane-like arm. The project specifications are first loaded into the machine s computer, which directs the arm hovering over the table to automatically perform the cut. The cut is made by funneling water and sand through a nozzle at extremely high pressure, more than 80,000 pounds per square inch. Compared to other forms of cutting, waterjets can cut a broader range of materials. When heat is used, as it is with plasma cutting, it can cause the metal to warp. Plasma cutting is also not as precise as waterjets. Hydro- Blade WaterJets uses a combination of both waterjets and plasma cutting in order to save their customers money when the benefits of waterjets are not necessary. From Oil Fields to Custom Crafts Hydro-Blade takes on projects of all sizes. Much of their work ends up as pieces and parts Beyond the oilfield, Hyrdro-Blade cuts parts for farming machinery, as well as projects for residential contractors. Owner Ben Chauvin and his team are also constantly working to find new uses for their machines. Hydro-Blade recently cut the metal for an airboat, and Ben has also experimented with designing and creating metal crafts. Ben Chauvin: Marine Veteran and Self-Taught Waterjet Expert After graduating high school Ben Chauvin spent four years in the US Marine Corp then worked for an offshore services company. Ben studied waterjet cutting while still employed by an oil company. Deciding he would start his waterjet business, Ben purchased his first machine in With discipline reflective of his military background, Ben worked days in Baton Rouge and then drove home to Lafayette to spend the evening honing his craft in his shop. Once he was ready to dedicate full-time hours to his own company, Ben left his day job. Better Every Day Hydro-Blade s design team works closely with their customers engineers to translate their needs into a solution. Ben encourages his staff to attend industry trainings to learn more about the craft and to grow not just as workers, but also as people. Ben has fostered an environment of innovation where his employees feel comfortable expressing their ideas and want to take ownership of their work. Contact Hydro-Blade WaterJets Learn more at hydrobladewaterjets.com or call

11 MEMBER SPOTLIGHT 00 Meet Ben Chauvin Owner of Hydro-Blade WaterJets When I bought my first machine, I didn t know how to turn it on. I learned everything I could about it, and as I do now, I tried to learn something to get better each day. Seven years later, I am still learning. And that s what I love about this

12 MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

13 About All Dry Water Damage All Dry Water Damage is a disaster restoration and remediation company serving the greater New Orleans area. All Dry enters homes and businesses that have experienced some sort of physical damage and completely cleans the area, removing all tainted and broken materials and ensuring no hazardous substances or residue remains. They also attempt to restore personal items that are affected by the incident. For more than thirty years, All Dry has reversed damage due to fires, hurricanes, broken water and sewer pipes, and many others. All Dry s experience in the field ensures that both its employees and customers remain safe throughout the process and after the job is complete. Services: Fire, Drying, Water, Mold, etc. Flooding & Mold - No matter the source broken pipe, Mother Nature, or otherwise when water gets in your home or business, it can do more damage than you ll be able to see at first. Moisture trapped beneath floors or behind walls can do long-term property damage, but it can also create mold and other hazardous materials. All Dry uses moisture monitors and other equipment to find the problem, so they can properly solve it. Fire, Smoke, & Soot - Fires cause smoke damage and leave behind soot particles. All Dry removes and replaces damaged building materials. Then they clean the soot using HEPA (high energy particulate air) vacuuming to remove potentially toxic soot particles. Contents and Documents Restoration - Personal items that have both monetary and sentimental value are often damaged and even destroyed when an incident occurs. All Dry takes care in restoring these personal items when possible. Valuable documents and records can also be affected. All Dry uses techniques such as freeze-drying documents to preserve them. Many More - There are many other cleanup and restoration services that All Dry performs, including sewage cleanup, biohazard remediation, Chinese drywall abatement, and more. Emergency Services Because accidents can happen at any time (not just during business hours), All Dry offers quick response services, which are available 24-hours. Regardless of the day and time, All Dry can typically be on site within one hour of receiving a customer s call. By arriving on site and addressing the problem right away, All Dry can mitigate damage to the property and save customers and insurance companies money. Turnkey Solutions When water damage occurs, it is not uncommon for All Dry to rip out drywall, flooring, cabinets, and other fixtures. In the past, All Dry s work would be done once the direct problem water or mold, for example was remedied. The customer would then call upon other construction specialists to renovate the area. After realizing that coordinating the follow-up services was inconvenient for the customer, All Dry decided that packaging the damage remediation services with renovation services would be more marketable and expanded its offerings by providing flooring, sheet rocking, painting and other remodeling services. Today, All Dry performs turnkey solutions: they start with a chaotic scene and leave the property as good as new. Contact All Dry To learn more about All Dry Water Damage and how their services may be of use to you, visit alldrywaterdamage.com or call All Dry Water Damage MEMBER SPOTLIGHT 12

14 NO MATTER YOUR INDUSTRY, YOU'RE IN BUSINESS. In Louisiana, business is done in any number of places construction site, kitchen, machine shop, tug boat, manufacturing plant, or on the tailgate of your truck. Our industries are unique, almost as unique as our people. LCI Workers' Comp is here to not only protect the people and businesses of Louisiana but to help them thrive. To prove it, we created LCIA, a department specifically designed to keep an eye on the ever-changing business climate and, accordingly, develop programs that create opportunities to help your Louisiana business grow in whatever industry you may be in. So when you pick up your briefcase regardless of where you bring it LCI and LCIA will be right there with you. To learn more about LCIA and what we can do for your business, visit lciassociation.com or call

15 UPDATES FROM LCI s PARTNER A PROJECT OF THE URBAN CONSERVANCY Louisiana Coalition for E-Fairness Advocates for Louisiana Retailers THE PROBLEM: Online retailers are exempt from collecting sales tax, giving them an advantage over locally owned, brick-and-mortar retailers. THE COALITION: StayLocal has partnered with Greater New Orleans, Inc. and the Louisiana Association of Retailers to form the Louisiana Coalition for E-Fairness, which will address the issue of e-fairness. THE PLAN: The Coalition plans to advocate for businesses in the state and federal legislatures, to start conversations with Louisiana retailers, and to increase awareness about the e-fairness issue. For more information about the Louisiana Coalition for E-Fairness, contact Mark Strella with StayLocal at or (504) StayLocal! is Greater New Orleans Independent Business Alliance 1307 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., Suite 309, New Orleans, LA

16 Corner LCI Workers Comp LCI Company News NEW HIRE Francque Zelenock Francque Zelenock recently joined LCI as the new Customer Service Representative. In addition to greeting you on the phone and when you visit our office, Francque works with the Finance Department to take payments and assist with billing. Francque is also a full-time student, completing her BA in Health Administration at Devry University, and a full-time mom to daughters Desirea and Torin. LCI Launches Get to Know Your Co-Worker Series to Encourage More Communication across Departments In March, LCI held its first Get to Know Your Co-Worker Lunch, a new initiative for 2015 to encourage LCI employees to learn about each other and about the work performed in other departments. LCI Adds Available Medical Provider Map to Website LCI recently added a new feature to its website which allows you to find the nearest urgent care facility. When an employee is injured, the injured worker should receive immediate medical attention. LCI Workers Comp Loss Control would like to remind policyholders to utilize a local urgent care or occupational medical clinic when possible. Please visit the Available Providers map at to view a map of local clinics experienced in handling workers comp claims. 15

17 Q. Where did you grow up? What was the best thing about growing up there? A. I grew up in Mandeville, but I spent my summers at my grandparents farm in Franklinton, Louisiana. My fondest childhood memories come from the adventures I had on the farm! My siblings and I were able to ride horses while out there, since my grandfather raised Thoroughbreds. There was also a small creek within walking distance where we would go to swim. Q. Tell us about your family. A. Both of my parents were born and raised in Louisiana. My parents started having children at a young age, so my grandparents were always a big part of our life. I am the oldest of three. I have a younger sister and brother. I am also the proud mother of a seven-year-old little boy. Q. What does your ideal Saturday look like? A. My Saturdays always begin bright and early since my son has no concept of what it means to sleep in! I enjoy doing outside activities when it s warm outside, like gardening. However, that usually gets squeezed in between trips to the park or pool. My favorite Saturday activity has to be going to the snowball stand, though. My family s favorite flavor is rainbow with condensed milk mmm! LCI Employee Spotlight: Brandi Seeger Position: Claims Indemnity Adjuster Hometown: Mandeville, LA Q. What is your experience in workers comp claims? What is your favorite part about working in claims? A. I worked for an orthopedic surgeon as a work comp coordinator before coming over to LCI. This helped me tremendously in understanding the medical aspect of claims as an adjuster. My favorite part about working with claims is that there s never a dull moment. No two claims are ever alike, so I am constantly learning new things. Q. What is the greatest strength of LCI s Claims Department? A. The greatest strength of the Claims Department at LCI would be customer service. We personally answer all the calls that come through. LCI offers a Spanish hotline and also provides a toll-free hotline for after hours calls as well. This allows our policyholders and claimants complete access to the Claims Department for almost any situation that may arise during or after business hours. Q. What piece of advice do you offer LCI policyholders who may have never had a claim before? A. The Claims Department at LCI wants our policyholders to know that they can call at any time with any questions they may have, big or small. We are here to help you understand what you need to do should you have a claim. One important tip: report everything. Late reporting usually leads to unnecessary litigation. Please also be aware that post injury drug screening must be done the same day of the accident. We also recommend that employers ask their employees to fill out a Second Injury Report right after they are hired. This form may help LCI recoup costs when claimants have had a pre-existing condition. Q. What is your greatest accomplishment? A. I used to think graduating from college was my greatest achievement in life, until I became a mom. As a parent you are responsible for teaching your children so many things throughout their entire lives. It is one of the most important roles you will ever play. It is truly inspiring and the most rewarding thing that I have ever been a part of in my life. Brandi reminds you to report all accidents and injuries as soon as possible. PHONE: (888) EN ESPAÑOL: (985) FAX: (985) LCI WORKERS COMP CORNER 16

18 For over 25 years, LCI Workers Comp has worked alongside Louisiana business owners in virtually every field, providing expert guidance and personalized service. In direct response to client needs, our professional staff builds custom programs that meet, and exceed, business goals. This enables LCI to consistently improve offerings and to better meet evolving category demands. So put our team to work for your business. Just don t let us anywhere near your espresso machine. :: lciwc.com :: Put us to work for you.

20 the member services arm of lci workers comp 1123 North Causeway Boulevard Mandeville, LA Throughout this issue of In Good Company, you will find the answers to the following questions. the correct answers to all 4 questions to by 5:00 PM on Friday, June 5, 2015, and if you re one of the first 10 respondents, we ll send you a $25 gas gift card. Be sure to include your name, company name, mailing address, and phone number with your answers. 1. What are the two main problems caused by past water management techniques in New Orleans? 2. What percentage of the nation s waterborne exports go through Louisiana? 3. In which branch of the military did Ben Chauvin serve? 4. What is the name of StayLocal s group working to level the playing field for local retailers?

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City of Paso Robles Community Development Department Construction Site Storm Water Quality Requirements Overview of the City s Construction Storm Water Program The City of Paso Robles is committed to protecting

How Does Land Use Affect Water Infiltration and Runoff? Student Activity Sheet Name Date Class The ways we use our land have changed a great deal over the last 500 years. Many of our forests, wetlands,

Topic: Drainage basins as open systems 3.1.1.2 Runoff, hydrographs & changes in the water cycle over time What you need to know How runoff varies within the water cycle. How to analyse a flood hydrograph

CRS Report for Congress Received through the CRS Web Order Code RS22297 October 14, 2005 Ports in Louisiana: New Orleans, South Louisiana, and Baton Rouge Summary Vanessa Cieslak Information Research Specialist

Chapter 2 Flash Flood Science A flash flood is generally defined as a rapid onset flood of short duration with a relatively high peak discharge (World Meteorological Organization). The American Meteorological

Follow the Drop Activity Overview Students observe and collect information about water runoff on their school property. Objective Students will: Practice observation and investigative skills Survey and

United States Environmental Protection Agency June 2000832-F-00-005 Office of Water 4204 Benefits of Protecting Your Community From Sanitary Sewer Overflows Sanitary Sewer Overflow Control Enhances Community

Water Pollution Graphing Revised October 2011 PURPOSE: To describe and identify the link between land use activities within a watershed and water quality. SUMMARY: Students will evaluate the quality of

Offshore Alabama Prepared by the University of South Alabama MBA Consulting Group in December 2010 Executive Summary The Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce s Oil and Gas Task Force (Task Force) was created

Going green : Environmental jobs for scientists and engineers Alice Ramey Alice Ramey is an economist in the Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections, BLS. She is available at (202)

Preventing water damage in the basement Thousands of home insurance claims are filed every year. Some losses are major, others aren t, but they re always an inconvenience and usually avoidable! As prevention

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Understanding Your An Introduction to the Chicago Area s Combined Sewer Systems Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago What is a combined sewer? In a combined sewer system, sanitary

What to do if sewage floods your property This leaflet will answer some of your questions and concerns, as well as give you helpful information and advice. What we will do for you Sewer flooding is unpleasant

This emergency toolkit provides you with steps to take before and during emergencies to protect you and your property. The Victoria State Emergency Service (SES) is a volunteer organisation dedicated to

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All about insurance and water damage Water damage: Tops the list of home insurance claims Water damage now accounts for nearly half of the amounts paid for home insurance claims in Quebec, well ahead of

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Protect your home from basement flooding have you done everything you can? No matter where you live in Winnipeg, your home can be at risk of basement flooding. Heavy rainstorms that fall over short periods

The Ultimate Guide To Protecting Your House From Water In The Basement Table of Contents 3 Causes of Water in the Basement!... 3 Reason Number 1: Poor Grading!... 3 Reason Number 2: Improper Drainage!...

Managing Storm Water Runoff A Self-Assessment Guide for Wisconsin Businesses Storm water runoff is coming under increasing scrutiny as both a source of pollutants to our lakes and streams, and as a cause

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Public Works Department Sewer Backup No-Fault Assistance Spanish Fork City and its employees will help to alleviate some of the problems created by this unfortunate backup. City employees are working hard

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By: Katie Tucker, Sales Representative, Rolyn Companies, Inc Are you and your facility disaster ready? As reported by the Red Cross, as many as 40 percent of small businesses do not reopen after a major

Storm Water and Pollution Prevention What is storm water? Storm water is water from precipitation such as rain or snow that flows across the ground and pavement. That water seeps into the ground or collects

Florida Department of Environmental Protection Background Mobile vehicle and equipment washing involves washing at a location where vehicles are based (such as a trucking company, warehouse, bus station,

Fry Instant Words High Frequency Words The Fry list of 600 words are the most frequently used words for reading and writing. The words are listed in rank order. First Hundred Group 1 Group 2 Group 3 Group

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Water Recycles poster The "Water ReCycles" poster is designed for students of all ages. It shows the natural water cycle and humans influence on water resources. Raincloud illustration The raincloud in

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Living with the Trinity Lesson Plan 2: The Trinity River Watershed Learning Objective: Students will begin to understand how all of the living things in and around the Trinity River Watershed affect each

FIND IT! FIX IT! REPORT IT! Resolving Water Loss Claims ABOUT THE AUTHOR Leak Doctor, Inc. Why choose the Leak Doctor? A commitment to provide hands on service for every aspect of your water leak problems.

ALLEGANY WIND POWER PROJECT CONSTRUCTION SPILL PREVENTION PLAN Best Management Practices (BMPs) will be implemented during construction of the Allegany Wind Power Project to prevent and contain spills.

WET/DAMP BASEMENTS PROBLEM. IS THIS BASEMENT LEAKING OR COULD WE HAVE ANOTHER PROBLEM? Water line arching up on wall in corners of basement. Water collecting on concrete floor starting in corners. ANSWER:

VILLAGE OF GRANVILLE SEWER BACK-UP and WATER LEAK POLICIES SEWER BACK-UP POLICY General Sewer back-ups are an unfortunate, but common problem in older communities. A sewer back-up can create a health or

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Water pollution, Aquifer Depletion, and Containment Facilities We face the challenge of increasing agricultural production on a global basis to feed a growing population, yet doing so in such a way that

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